Vietnamese students top international chemistry Olympiad

Securing four gold medals, the Vietnamese team shared first place with China and India at the 2026 International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO).

The Quality Management Department, under the Ministry of Education and Training, announced on the morning of 19/7 that four students earned gold medals at the 2026 International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO). The gold medalists are Nguyen Manh Tuan, Nguyen The Minh, and Tran Hoang Nam, all 12th graders from Ha Noi - Amsterdam High School for the Gifted, along with Dinh Xuan Phuc, a 12th grader from Vinh Phuc High School for the Gifted in Phu Tho province.

The Vietnamese team ranked among the top one-three best-performing nations, alongside China and India. Since its first participation in the IChO in 1996, this marks the fourth time 100 percent of Vietnamese students have won gold medals. Previous instances occurred in 2020, 2022, and 2025.

From 2020 to 2026, the Vietnamese team achieved a notable record, securing 25 gold medals and three silver medals from a total of 28 entries, according to the Ministry's assessment.

The IChO 2026 took place in Uzbekistan from 10/7 to 19/7, attracting 368 students from 93 countries and territories. Participants competed in two sections, theoretical and practical, each lasting five hours.

According to the Ministry, the IChO 2026 exam questions were designed with a modern approach, incorporating advanced fields of chemistry and material science. These included topics such as ammonia production, nuclear chemistry, and CO2 reuse. The questions assessed not only knowledge mastery but also cognitive ability and the application of knowledge to explain natural phenomena, production processes, and technical issues. Candidates had to analyze and process information, and build scientific arguments, reflecting their critical thinking and application skills.